The Starlink Takeover: Are Traditional Satellite Phones Obsolete?

The Starlink Takeover: Are Traditional Satellite Phones Obsolete?
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 28, 2025

Alright, let's talk satcom. Starlink is the shiny new toy everyone's buzzing about. Gigabit speeds? Low latency? It's disruptive, no doubt. But I've been knee-deep in this game since before smartphones were a glimmer in Steve Jobs' eye, and I'm here to tell you: this isn't a takeover; it's an evolution.

The Starlink Disruption

Let's give credit where credit's due. Starlink is impressive. Those speeds are game-changing for remote locations. Imagine running a remote office, a construction site, or even a live stream from the middle of nowhere with fiber-like speeds. We've seen clients ditch expensive, unreliable terrestrial connections for Starlink, and they haven't looked back.

Feature	Starlink Mini Most Portable	Starlink Standard (Gen 3)	Starlink High Performance Fastest
Weight	2.56 lbs (1.16 kg)	9.2 lbs (4.2 kg)	33 lbs (15 kg)
Dimensions	10.2" x 10.2" (26cm x 26cm)	20.1" x 12.2" (51cm x 31cm)	29.9" x 19.7" (76cm x 50cm)
Power Consumption	50-75W	100-150W	180-250W
Typical Download Speed	100-200 Mbps	150-250 Mbps	200-320 Mbps
Portability	Excellent (Backpack-friendly)	Good (Transportable)	Limited (Fixed Installation)
Best For	Travel, camping, emergency response, temporary setups	Residential use, RVs, semi-permanent installations	Business use, extreme weather conditions, maximum performance
Price	$2,500	$599	$2,500

But (and there's always a but) - Starlink isn't a magic bullet. It requires a clear view of the sky, a power source, and it's not exactly something you slip into your pocket.

Why Your Satphone Remains Essential

Enter the unsung hero of global communications: the satellite phone. It's not flashy, it's not going to win any speed tests, but it's the dang workhorse that keeps you connected when everything else fails. Try taking a Starlink dish up Everest. Or through the Amazon. Not happening.

Your satphone? That's your lifeline. Global coverage, reliable voice and basic data, and ultimate portability. It's the connection you can count on when cell towers are a distant memory.

Their Strengths and Weaknesses

Let's break it down, no fluff:

Feature	Starlink	Satellite Phone
Speed	Blazing Fast	Basic
Latency	Low	Higher
Coverage	Expanding, Needs Clear Sky View	Global, Pole-to-Pole
Mobility	Fixed Location	Handheld, Truly Mobile
Power	Requires External Power Source	Battery Powered
Best For	Broadband, High-Data Needs	Emergencies, Remote Operations
Cost	Higher Initial Investment	Lower Initial Investment

The Hybrid Approach - Leveraging the Best of Both Worlds

The smartest players in the game are adopting a hybrid approach. Starlink for base camp, providing high-bandwidth connectivity for data-intensive tasks. Satphones for teams on the move, ensuring reliable communication no matter where they go. It's the perfect blend of power and portability.

The Future of Satcom

The future of satcom isn't about one technology replacing another; it's about integration. We're already helping clients design custom solutions that leverage the strengths of both Starlink and traditional satellite technologies. This hybrid approach ensures seamless connectivity, no matter the location or the need.

Don't Ditch Your Satphone - It's Your Insurance Policy

So, are satellite phones obsolete? Absolutely not. They're more relevant than ever. They're your insurance policy, your backup plan, the connection you can count on when everything else fails. And sometimes, you just need a simple voice call to say, "I'm okay." Starlink can't do that (yet).